Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

All people are equal but some are more equal than others. It is the same with the proposed winding down of cancer services in the north west region and Sligo Regional Hospital. The HSE consistently acts in an independent fashion without taking into account the wishes of the people. The people are the most important thing. That is what we are all about here in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

There is another report within the HSE at the moment which proposes to reduce from 47 to 17 the number of pathology laboratories throughout the country. It may make sense to have some kind of consolidation, but I would like a debate to take place at this point so that we, as representatives of the people — or a form of representation — can ensure their wishes are taken into account. In this way we will not simply be reacting to events and trying to retrospectively correct the actions of management consultants who are not representing anybody and have zero mandate.